Three hens -- but only one laying good eggs

[Jellycat]

We aren't sure what to do. All three of our hens are over a year old now. We only have one hen that is producing one quality brown egg a day -- she's a silver wyandott. The leghorn lays an egg but every single one has come out sandpapery and has been off white with a weird brown swirl (these are not her first eggs. She's been laying for about two/three months now). The other hen -- who is WELL beyond waiting for her to start laying (they're all about a year old) is a Barred Rock and hasn't laid a single egg. We have no idea what to do. We assumed all three would be helpful egg layers and we never had intentions to cull them but should we? They are such a tight little flock and follow each other everywhere I feel terrible taking two away and leaving the one who is productive. Plus I just never thought we'd have to end their lives so soon. Any suggestions?

(BTW, we give them organic laying feed mixed with oyster shell and they have plenty of yard time to graze around. They all seem to be extremely healthy and happy with deep red wattles. They all are drinking and behaving normally)

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! It's tough when you have only three birds, and one isn't laying at all. Are the Leghorn's eggs all right inside? Individual birds will lay eggs that don't match your idea of what looks normal, but the eggs are actually fine. Were they from a hatchery? Friend? Craig's list? It's also possible to have an illness, or one bird who just isn't healthy, and isn't laying eggs for that reason. If you can, consider adding a few more birds to your flock this year. Also consider finding out what's wrong with your hen; or is she hiding eggs somewhere if they free range. Mary

 

[Rowsdower]

Sandpapery shells can be symptomatic of dehydration.

 

[Jellycat]

Hi Mary,

Thank you so much for responding.

As far as the quality of the leghorn's eggs --- they're OKAY. They don't break easy and seem to have a thick inner lining but after we get them cracked open they do appear like normal eggs.

The chickens were bought as 3 day old babies from our local neighborhood feed store.

As far as the one who isn't laying having an illness -- what is the best way to check on this? Take her in to a vet? They free range when we are out tending to the yard, otherwise they have a long run and a coop house they spend the other time in. We are leaning toward the idea that she's not hiding them, she's just simply not laying.

 

[Jellycat]

Rowsdower -- She always appears to be drinking? We have an automatic water system set up so they have access at all times. She looks so healthy too which is why we can't figure out why her eggs have such a rough sandpaper shell.

 

[Folly's place]

Eggshell and color can be genetics, or sometimes a sign of some problem. Your non-laying hen likely does have a health issue, so diagnostics would be in order. A farm hen would be in the crock pot or buried, a pet should see the vet. Mary

 

[CrazyTalk]

Stop mixing the feed and oyster shell. They should be given separately.

Too much calcium can cause egg binding, kidney issues, poor shell quality, and a whole host of other problems.